Fire Department - Divisions

Administration Division

The mission of the Administration Division is to provide department members with the tools they need to be effective and safe during the course of their duties.  Those duties include: preserving the quality of life and the economic viability of the community from losses or injury by educating staff members and Ketchikan’s citizenry; providing optimum levels of fire suppression, emergency medical services and disaster preparedness; offering continuous training, exercise and drills; managing hazardous material emergencies and disasters; and providing stress management to members of the department.  The administration of this department strives to fulfill its mission statement by dispatching appropriate personnel and apparatus in a cost effective and efficient manner within guidelines established by federal and state laws, the City Charter, the Ketchikan Municipal Code and the citizens of Ketchikan as represented by the City Council.

The Administration Division manages the delivery of fire protection, fire investigation, fire prevention, and life safety inspection services within the City; as well as emergency medical services, ambulance, and disaster relief assistance, both locally and on a regional basis.

The Administration Division is responsible for the maintenance of facilities, vehicles, equipment and oversight of the Fire Operations Division. This enables the Operations Division to complete its mission.

Operations Division

It is the mission of the Fire Department Operations Division to maintain the quality of life and the economic viability of the community from losses due to fire, accident, injury or illness. The Operations Division does this by training for, responding to and mitigating incidents of fire, natural disaster, accidents or illness, which require suppression, containment or intervention.  Firefighters, Paramedics and EMTs provide emergency medical care to victims of accidents and acute illness by providing expedited transportation to the appropriate medical facility and quality patient care.  Department members play a vital role in fire prevention, public education, accident prevention and emergency preparedness training for the public.  The Operations Division strives to fulfill its mission statement by responding with well-trained personnel and well-maintained equipment and apparatus in a cost effective and efficient manner within guidelines established by federal and state laws, the City Charter, the Ketchikan Municipal Code and the citizens of Ketchikan as represented by the City Council.